Does bovine TB threaten SA’s wild lions? The captive lion industry claims it’s a major risk & positions captive breeding as the “solution.” But science shows TB occurs naturally & does NOT threaten lions at the population level. Wild lions remain stable. Read more 👉 bloodlions.org/bovine-tuber...

Provincial backing to phase out SA’s captive lion industry is gaining ground, reports Daily Maverick. After years of welfare failures and false conservation claims, real reform is being tested. The question now: will national leadership act? 🦁 www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...

The welfare of captive-bred lions in ‘canned’ hunts is compromised from birth to death. If you see ‘canned’ hunting content online, don’t engage, as this feeds the algorithms. Instead, report it to SMACC. Don’t feed the cruelty. Be part of the solution. Report it! 👉 tinyurl.com/mudu7w3x

‘Canned’ lion hunting refers to killing captive-bred, habituated lions in small fenced camps where escape is impossible. These lions don’t fear humans, kill is guaranteed, and welfare is compromised. Further, it’s damaging SA’s conservation & tourism reputation. More 👉 tinyurl.com/3ctn3jtv

Volunteers who witness cruelty at captive wildlife projects often feel silenced. You can still act. Report unethical SA-based projects to Wild Choices for transparent facility listings, and report online animal cruelty to the SMACC. Speak up - animals depend on it. More 👉 tinyurl.com/4rsfevjn

Wildlife volunteering in SA - Many projects use volunteers to hand-raise predator cubs under false “conservation” claims. Red flags include cub petting, constant “orphans”, and no verifiable conservation outcomes. Say no to unethical captive predator projects. Watch 👉 tinyurl.com/5n943uw7

We’re proud to announce support from @Voiceless for an animal law moot court project, in collaboration with Animal Law Reform & UWC’s Global Environmental Law Centre. The project builds capacity to address the phase-out of SA’s captive lion industry. Watch 👉 tinyurl.com/bdzj94bp

📢 BREAKING NEWS 📢 Cruelty exposed in South Africa’s cub-petting industry During an investigation of several cub-petting facilities in South Africa, LadyFreethinker came across widespread animal welfare concerns and even cruelty. More 👉 tinyurl.com/4pfnrz2k

Cub petting & predator walks are hidden forms of animal cruelty. Cubs are purely bred for exploitation, suffering cruelty throughout life. If you see such content online: be informed, don’t engage (it boosts reach), and report it. Be part of the solution. Report 👉 tinyurl.com/3xu99cvp

Should we pet cubs or walk with predators? Cubs aren’t orphans - removed from mothers, hand-raised for tourism, and never released. Their welfare is compromised, interactions are dangerous, and many killed for trophies, body parts or are held captive for life. More 👉 tinyurl.com/46mf9knc

Is “canned” hunting illegal in South Africa? Part 2 🦁🔫 The claim is misleading. The term has no legal definition, so it can neither be legal nor illegal. Hunting of captive-bred lions is legal in 3 provinces, each with its own rules. 👉 bloodlions.org/canned-hunting

Is “canned” hunting illegal in South Africa? Part 1 🦁🔫 The term isn’t defined in SA legislation, so it has no official meaning. While TOPS bans certain hunting methods, provinces set their own minimum standards within these guidelines. Learn more 👉 bloodlions.org/canned-hunting

Is animal well-being really “extremist”? The commercial wildlife industry increasingly labels conservationists & welfare groups like the NSPCA as radical “animal rightists.” As Steph Klarmann notes, this misrepresentation undermines vital professional work. Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/5n7wduh7

There is still hope for SA’s captive lions 🦁 but it must be protected. After Dion George’s removal, concerns over Minister Willem Aucamp’s ties to the commercial wildlife industry raise alarm. We urge transparency, ethical leadership & respect for democratic processes. The world is watching. 🌍🗳️

Hope for 2026 🦁✨ A future where lions and other predators are no longer exploited for tourism. No cub petting, bottle feeding, walking with lions or captive displays. Let’s support ethical tourism that keeps wildlife wild. SA can - and must - do better 🌍

Hope for 2026 🦁✨ A future where lions and other predators are no longer exploited for tourism. No cub petting, bottle feeding, walking with lions or captive displays. Let’s support ethical tourism that keeps wildlife wild. SA can - and must - do better 🌍 @humaneworldorg.bsky.social

Public pressure over 15+ years exposed the cruelty of SA’s captive lion industry, from cub petting to canned hunts and bone trade. In 2019, the High Court ruled CITES lion bone quotas unlawful, stating animal welfare must be considered, leading to a skeleton export moratorium. #CancelCaptivity

🐾 Welfare Big Cat Cubs – #throwback2025 🐾 Thousands of indigenous and exotic big cats in SA’s captive predator industry face the same welfare issues as lions: early separation, poor welfare, cub petting, zoo displays, & a thriving trade in skins, bones, claws etc. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity

🐾 Welfare Big Cat Cubs – #throwback2025 🐾 Thousands of indigenous and exotic big cats in SA’s captive predator industry face the same welfare issues as lions: early separation, poor welfare, cub petting, zoo displays, & a thriving trade in skins, bones, claws etc. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity

🐾 Welfare Other Predators – #throwback2025 🐾 SA’s captive predator industry exploits not only lions but many other indigenous and exotic big cats. Some, like young leopards, are kept in cages as small as 10×14m, leaving little room to move or exercise. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity

As 42 lion carcasses turned to ash, SA’s commitment to end captive breeding hangs in the balance. Last week’s symbolic lion bone burn came as reform stalls after Minister George’s removal. We need to ensure that hard-won progress does not collapse. More 👉 tinyurl.com/26u7mmwv

📢 BREAKING NEWS 📢 Symbolic burn of 42 boxes of lion bones - symbolising 42 captive-bred lions - sends a clear message. These bones can no longer enter illegal trade. The fight to close SA’s captive lion industry will continue. More 👉 bloodlions.org/bl-statement...

🐾 Animal Welfare – Why should we care? 🐾 Better animal welfare improves animals’ lives, reduces zoonotic disease risks, lowers stress for people who work with captive wild animals, and builds empathy and well-being in society. Learn more 👉 bloodlions.org/theyfeeltoo3/ #TheyFeelToo

📢 PROJECT CHEETAH UPDATE 📢 SA may send more cheetahs to India, but welfare and social justice concerns remain. A new peer-reviewed paper by Blood Lions and an Indian social scientist highlights poor animal welfare, community removals, weak infrastructure, and ignored Indigenous rights.

South Africa may be sending more cheetahs to India despite rising cheetah deaths in Kuno National Park and ongoing welfare concerns. Project Cheetah continues to place strain on African cheetahs. All earlier welfare warnings still stand. More 👉 tinyurl.com/yrej68b4

Despite SA’s 2021 commitment to end this exploitative industry, thousands of lions still suffer in captivity. ❌ With every visit to a predator park ❌ With every selfie taken ❌ With every hands-on interaction YOU PLAY — THEY PAY. Minister Aucamp, please continue the phase-out.

Animals aren’t driven by instinct alone. Science shows mammals and birds are sentient — they feel joy, fear, pain and comfort. Recognising sentience shifts welfare from simply avoiding suffering to ensuring animals’ physical and mental well-being. More 👉 bloodlions.org/theyfeeltoo1/

NSPCA is demanding transparency from the Presidency and DA over new Environment Minister Willie Aucamp’s undisclosed links to captive wildlife & hunting. The DA refused to give answers, so NSPCA will file a PAIA request. More 👉 iol.co.za/news/south-a...

Political fallout from DA’s decision to remove George from his position as Minister of Environment continues. It is still not clear why Steenhuisen wanted Aucamp to be in this post, but it will lead to claim that the lobby has “captured” this ministry. More 👉 tinyurl.com/ymtr7my6

📢BREAKING NEWS: Singapore seized 35.7 kg of SA rhino horn + 150 kg of predator bones, claws & teeth en route to Laos. SA bans trade in rhino horn & lion bones, yet illicit networks persist. The captive lion industry must close. #BredForTheBullet More 👉 tinyurl.com/2r6vh7bb

Media scrutiny grows after George’s dismissal last week and the appointment of wildlife breeder Aucamp. As Ghaleb Cachalia notes, agriculture and environment overlap — and when both sit with pro-hunting leaders, the public has a right to question policy shifts. More 👉 tinyurl.com/euj9whdt

How to tell if a predator park is unethical? 2️⃣TRADING 🚩Animals come & go, meaning they buy, sell or exchange animals with other facilities 🚩Stories of the animal’s rescue are vague or proof cannot be provided You can see if a park should be avoided using Wild Choices: www.wildchoices.org

We trust Minister Aucamp will continue the democratic process, which is firmly rooted in science & fully in line with his party’s Resolution, to end the captive lion industry. Ex-Minister George spoke out against “canned” lion hunting and this is what he said 👉 tinyurl.com/2nfmjkrf

📢 BLOOD LIONS STATEMENT 📢 We trust DA Minister Aucamp of Environment to will continue the democratic process to close commercial captive lion industry, which is not only rooted in science but is also fully in line with his party’s Resolution from 2023. Read more 👉 tinyurl.com/4bk9exkn

🆘 WE NEED YOUR HELP 🆘 DA leader John Steenhuisen has asked Pres. Ramaphosa to remove Minister Dion George — a key ally in ending SA’s captive lion industry. His proposed replacement, Willie Aucamp, has deep ties to commercial captive wildlife industry. Take action now & write to President and DA!

📢 BREAKING NEWS 📢 NSPCA has raised urgent concerns with President Ramaphosa over proposed Cabinet change at DFFE. The NSPCA warns this shift could harm animal welfare and risk South Africa’s global reputation amid ongoing concerns about the captive lion industry and its links to illicit trade.

DA leader Steenhuisen asked Pres. Ramaphosa to remove Minister George & replace him with Aucamp - move that could hand environment portfolio to someone aligned with the wildlife breeding & hunting industry and will reverse progress to close SA’s captive lion industry 👉 tinyurl.com/rmc4rxk2

Playing with cubs, walking with lions or taking predator selfies fuels a cruel industry ⛓️🦁⛓️ — not conservation. ‼️ Cubs aren’t orphaned. ‼️ They’re bred for profit. Say no to captivity and help end their suffering. Be the change. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity #KillingThemSoftly

Minister Dr Dion George addressed @United for Wildlife Global Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a resolute message for global leaders: “We are closing the captive lion industry. The only commercial lion industry in the world.” 👉 Watch www.facebook.com/share/v/17St...

Minister Dr Dion George addressed @United for Wildlife Global Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a resolute message for global leaders: “We are closing the captive lion industry. The only commercial lion industry in the world.” 👉 Watch www.facebook.com/share/v/17St...

📢 Want to visit a big cat facility but not sure which are ethical? Youth For Lions has created a list of 🚩RED FLAGS🚩 to help you spot parks that exploit predators through breeding, petting & trade. Support true sanctuaries only. Learn more 👉 tinyurl.com/yw7sty8b

📢 YOU’RE KILLING THEM SOFTLY 📢 Paying to pet, walk or watch captive lions fuels cruelty for profit ❌🦁 Their lives are short, their suffering real. You’re not helping them — you’re killing them softly. 🟢 Say no to captivity. 🟢 Say no to exploitation. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity

Blood Lions & @ecotrainingafrica spoke with @travelweeklyus about overcrowding at the Serengeti Mara River crossing. The debate highlights urgent issues in ethical wildlife tourism—guest expectations, guide challenges & trade responsibility. Listen to full podcast 🎧👉: tinyurl.com/58tcypwy '

South Africa is top global wildlife supplier, exporting 16+ million live wild animals (2013–2023), incl. 5,500 predators. Many go to China and Vietnam with poor welfare records, fueling trade in bones, skins & meat. SA has a moral obligation to protect these animals. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity

❓Does captive lion breeding aid conservation❓ Research by Blood Lions & @WorldAnimalProtection finds: ❌ Demand not met ❓ Preferences mixed ❓ Costs unclear ❓ Restocking uncertain ‼️ Illegal trade rife ➡️ Captive lion breeding offers NO conservation benefit for wild lions. #CancelCaptivity

In response to an intended zero lion bone export quota, industry claims that trade protects wild lions remain unproven. Research shows no evidence that captive breeding safeguards wild populations. With lions already in decline, caution—not commerce—is needed. More: tinyurl.com/297h4436

In SA’s captive predator industry lions & other predators suffer deeply. Poor diets, disease, stress & confinement lead to obesity, injury, pacing, self-mutilation & mental distress. Their welfare is compromised for profit. #TheyFeelToo #CancelCaptivity More: bloodlions.org/theyfeeltoo6/

❓Does captive lion breeding help conservation❓Research by Blood Lions & @WorldAnimalProtection shows 🦁 Little evidence of wild lions used to restock farms 🦁 Criminal links & weak enforcement enable laundering of wild parts ➡️ No proof lion farming benefits wild lions. #CancelCaptivity #BornToLiveWild

📸 #KeepItWild Challenge! Reminder 📸 Submit your wild big cat photo + background story by 24 Oct 2025. Open to all photographers 👉 tinyurl.com/59ka8b43. Entries will join an open letter to SA’s Minister urging a ban on captive lion breeding. Share & take action! #CancelCaptivity

In SAs commercial predator industry not only lions, but leopards, cheetahs, servals, tigers & more are bred. Torn from mothers, used for petting & photo props, sold to zoos, and traded for parts. Their suffering is the same. #TheyFeelToo Time to #CancelCaptivity More: tinyurl.com/7426xs8a